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THE BACKGROUND TO FIXTURE MAKING FROM THE 1970'S TO THE PRESENT DAY.
Stuart Vernon6 Jul 2020 - 19:03
Fred has provided an insight into the part he has played in making sure Vale had a place at the top table.
The first thing to say is simply that a Fixture Secretary certainly before the commencement of League Rugby could not improve a fixture list without having a side that was indeed good enough to provide a competitive game to be enjoyed by both sides.
It was in 1978 that I got the call to take on the task of Fixture Secretary following in the footsteps of non-other than Mr. Brian Cauwood. Brian handed me a hand written notebook with detailed details of all the sides that were currently on our Fixture List. Club Colours, Fix. Sec. Nos, Captains, Name of Grounds where played etc. etc. I’ve never been an organised fella and I’ve got to say after my first season I’d lost track of Brian’s bible and in fact discarded it.
At that time note I mentioned in the first paragraph you had to have a side to compete if you were going to enhance your list. Fortuitously we had. David Bennetts had taken over actually from myself as Skipper in 73 and his natural enthusiasm was infectious as he began to build a competitive side. In 78 we were a good side but our list did not reflect that.
We didn’t have the top sides in the North on our list, Waterloo, Headingley, Sale, New Brighton, Liverpool, Birkenhead Parketc. etc. “Note where some of these Clubs are now” My first job was to obtain fixtures against these sides. What a job, of course they were all involved in fixtures country-wide apart from their Northern competitors. An avenue was open to step in where we might attack the dates that weren’t repetitive on the structures season, known as the “X” dates. 4 Saturdays in a month but in some months 5 which varied in place each season. On these dates these sides didn’t have fixed fixtures. Here we should aim to obtain one or two. With the way we were progressing we did indeed gain fixtures against one or two of these sides later in fact to play them all.Of course by this time David B. had retired, followed by Brian McCann who was skipper for five seasons and Jim Ashworth. Trevor Rupert Glover then took over the reins for one imperious season, before handing over to Andy Higgin. What a Skipper Trevor was!! I remember reading in the Sunday Times that the Vale were unbeaten after their 1st 20 games of the season Trevor took over. We were in a position not only to take on the remaining top sides in the North but needed to move further afield.
Having taken over the role in 1978 and seeing the massive improvement in the side under great Skippers, we needed to provide games to appreciate the standard we were achieving. The aim – my aim – was to try and set up two fixtures in London, two fixtures in the Midlands and having now gained all in the North, two games in Scotland. Later even possibly more ambitious two games in Ireland.
This could never have happened without the contributions of the Gents above . What a trail of great Skippers we were blessed with at that stage.
The following season we managed a game in London v Streatham Croyden as a start. Actually they were going well at that time; don’t know where they are now. In the Midlands we managed to gain Rugby, I felt that was some achievement. Then Scotland initially we “fixed up” West of Scotland this followed by Kelso, Jordan Hill Coll. and Hutchesons F.P. We were gaining some respect in Scotland and we were able later to add Gala to our list.
I haven’t forgotten Ireland, was our name spreading. Managed to gain two Belfast sides Collegians and Instonians on a home/away reciprocal basis. Later this proved difficult to maintain as we were in the midst of the troubles in Ireland at that time. No fun getting of the boat with an armed guard and playing away from Instonians ground to the sound of gun shots in the distance. Collegians we played at Raven Hill under lights and both Clubs visited Powderhouse Lane before the troubles prevented any continuation. We enjoyed our Irish sojourns!! No more to say ….
Later we ventured to Cornwall for a weekend to play Cambourne and Penzance on a short weekend tour. Cambourne on the Friday night and Penzance the following day. Stopping at Weston Super Mare on the way down, to be met by a coffin coming out of the hotel as we moved in. Not good. Next day the second half of the trip down to Cornwall for the evening game to be met by horrendous weather. Everything was in darkness apart from one light showing under the stand. A long trip over and followinga knock on the door came the response “Do we have to play”?? It was a “shitty” night. Damn right we are playing we’ve travelled 300 miles for this. We played and fortunately won. I remember Brian Bonney enjoying a superb game in what were horrendous conditions.
So, Gents you can see the progress we were making, all down to great Skippers and more than that great players. We were becoming recognised in the country.
It was always said that as you move up the ladder – colloquially speaking – don’t forget the ones you leave behind, you will need them when the proverbial bubble bursts. Please note all this was taking place before the advent of Leagues or as some thoughts were at that time Merit Tables.
I think it was in 85/86 when moves were taking place to move into League structures and three National Divisions were set up. We were in National C. Actually we weren’t initially invited but West Hartlepool- who were at the top table at that time – felt we ought to be with them in National C. Les and Steve Smith great friends at that time actually still are realised we ought to be included and pushed to get us on board. Gents this opened the door for us, Meetings at Nuneaton on Sunday Morning with the other sides involved in C Exeter, Plymouth, Met. Police etc. etc. meant we were going to be involved in some travel.However we were prepared and in fact we won Division C in that season.
We were indeed a good side. At that time we were involved in the John Player Cup and were drawn against Coventry at the Vale losing 6 points to three. Geraint Davies was the Referee and when I see him he still reminds me that he lost the game for us by disallowing a try. Geraint is still about but now involved fully in cricket. Actually if we’d won the game we had Leicester in line for the next round again at Vale. They were already preparing the ground asking questions such as would we have room for 13 coaches etc. etc. We lost to Coventry!!
In the position we were in we were getting invites to fixture meetings at Mosely but certainly at that time League formations were being discussed seriously. However we visited the Mosely Club to check out what was happening. Gents we managed to pick up games, v Northampton, Bath, Wasps, London Irish, Rosslyn Park, Harlequins and others.
We were going to find things difficult leaving some of our close friends in the North. In fact we did play all the above sides, Northampton at the Vale before the return, (Won 6 pts to 3) Bath twice away but no return, Wasps Away and they did return to Powderhouse Lane, London Irish – first game at Powderhouse Lane and a return, Rosslyn Park Home and Away first game at Vale and Harlequins Away but no home game.
Gents they were brilliant games and I don’t think they will be repeated. Who knows.!! We were entertained royally by all of them and I think respected by them fully.
Of course by now Leagues were being introduced Nationally and payments were allowed officially as we were moving into the professional area. We were not in that League, we had players travelling from Cumbria some damned good players, Mally Brown, John Orr, “Big” Les Dent, and others all good players but joining us for the fixtures but no payments. Travelling -yes!! But travelling to train at nights apart from the commitments on a Saturday, remarkable and I just don’t see this happening nowadays.
Gents the professional area was with us and the sides as above moved on and we stayed in our comfortable area as the North of England now of course the North West of England. 42 years of Fixture Secretary, I exaggerate because George Dickson – thanks to him – took over as I took on the Chairmanship. God Forbid !!!! for 5 seasons.
We are still going we have now an excellent side and filled with optimism for the upcoming season when it might commence. The Club is filled with committed volunteers and I can foresee a great phase in our history over the next few years.
Best of luck to all. I will continue as Fixture Sec. with approval from all of you.
It was in 1978 that I got the call to take on the task of Fixture Secretary following in the footsteps of non-other than Mr. Brian Cauwood. Brian handed me a hand written notebook with detailed details of all the sides that were currently on our Fixture List. Club Colours, Fix. Sec. Nos, Captains, Name of Grounds where played etc. etc. I’ve never been an organised fella and I’ve got to say after my first season I’d lost track of Brian’s bible and in fact discarded it.
At that time note I mentioned in the first paragraph you had to have a side to compete if you were going to enhance your list. Fortuitously we had. David Bennetts had taken over actually from myself as Skipper in 73 and his natural enthusiasm was infectious as he began to build a competitive side. In 78 we were a good side but our list did not reflect that.
We didn’t have the top sides in the North on our list, Waterloo, Headingley, Sale, New Brighton, Liverpool, Birkenhead Parketc. etc. “Note where some of these Clubs are now” My first job was to obtain fixtures against these sides. What a job, of course they were all involved in fixtures country-wide apart from their Northern competitors. An avenue was open to step in where we might attack the dates that weren’t repetitive on the structures season, known as the “X” dates. 4 Saturdays in a month but in some months 5 which varied in place each season. On these dates these sides didn’t have fixed fixtures. Here we should aim to obtain one or two. With the way we were progressing we did indeed gain fixtures against one or two of these sides later in fact to play them all.Of course by this time David B. had retired, followed by Brian McCann who was skipper for five seasons and Jim Ashworth. Trevor Rupert Glover then took over the reins for one imperious season, before handing over to Andy Higgin. What a Skipper Trevor was!! I remember reading in the Sunday Times that the Vale were unbeaten after their 1st 20 games of the season Trevor took over. We were in a position not only to take on the remaining top sides in the North but needed to move further afield.
Having taken over the role in 1978 and seeing the massive improvement in the side under great Skippers, we needed to provide games to appreciate the standard we were achieving. The aim – my aim – was to try and set up two fixtures in London, two fixtures in the Midlands and having now gained all in the North, two games in Scotland. Later even possibly more ambitious two games in Ireland.
This could never have happened without the contributions of the Gents above . What a trail of great Skippers we were blessed with at that stage.
The following season we managed a game in London v Streatham Croyden as a start. Actually they were going well at that time; don’t know where they are now. In the Midlands we managed to gain Rugby, I felt that was some achievement. Then Scotland initially we “fixed up” West of Scotland this followed by Kelso, Jordan Hill Coll. and Hutchesons F.P. We were gaining some respect in Scotland and we were able later to add Gala to our list.
I haven’t forgotten Ireland, was our name spreading. Managed to gain two Belfast sides Collegians and Instonians on a home/away reciprocal basis. Later this proved difficult to maintain as we were in the midst of the troubles in Ireland at that time. No fun getting of the boat with an armed guard and playing away from Instonians ground to the sound of gun shots in the distance. Collegians we played at Raven Hill under lights and both Clubs visited Powderhouse Lane before the troubles prevented any continuation. We enjoyed our Irish sojourns!! No more to say ….
Later we ventured to Cornwall for a weekend to play Cambourne and Penzance on a short weekend tour. Cambourne on the Friday night and Penzance the following day. Stopping at Weston Super Mare on the way down, to be met by a coffin coming out of the hotel as we moved in. Not good. Next day the second half of the trip down to Cornwall for the evening game to be met by horrendous weather. Everything was in darkness apart from one light showing under the stand. A long trip over and followinga knock on the door came the response “Do we have to play”?? It was a “shitty” night. Damn right we are playing we’ve travelled 300 miles for this. We played and fortunately won. I remember Brian Bonney enjoying a superb game in what were horrendous conditions.
So, Gents you can see the progress we were making, all down to great Skippers and more than that great players. We were becoming recognised in the country.
It was always said that as you move up the ladder – colloquially speaking – don’t forget the ones you leave behind, you will need them when the proverbial bubble bursts. Please note all this was taking place before the advent of Leagues or as some thoughts were at that time Merit Tables.
I think it was in 85/86 when moves were taking place to move into League structures and three National Divisions were set up. We were in National C. Actually we weren’t initially invited but West Hartlepool- who were at the top table at that time – felt we ought to be with them in National C. Les and Steve Smith great friends at that time actually still are realised we ought to be included and pushed to get us on board. Gents this opened the door for us, Meetings at Nuneaton on Sunday Morning with the other sides involved in C Exeter, Plymouth, Met. Police etc. etc. meant we were going to be involved in some travel.However we were prepared and in fact we won Division C in that season.
We were indeed a good side. At that time we were involved in the John Player Cup and were drawn against Coventry at the Vale losing 6 points to three. Geraint Davies was the Referee and when I see him he still reminds me that he lost the game for us by disallowing a try. Geraint is still about but now involved fully in cricket. Actually if we’d won the game we had Leicester in line for the next round again at Vale. They were already preparing the ground asking questions such as would we have room for 13 coaches etc. etc. We lost to Coventry!!
In the position we were in we were getting invites to fixture meetings at Mosely but certainly at that time League formations were being discussed seriously. However we visited the Mosely Club to check out what was happening. Gents we managed to pick up games, v Northampton, Bath, Wasps, London Irish, Rosslyn Park, Harlequins and others.
We were going to find things difficult leaving some of our close friends in the North. In fact we did play all the above sides, Northampton at the Vale before the return, (Won 6 pts to 3) Bath twice away but no return, Wasps Away and they did return to Powderhouse Lane, London Irish – first game at Powderhouse Lane and a return, Rosslyn Park Home and Away first game at Vale and Harlequins Away but no home game.
Gents they were brilliant games and I don’t think they will be repeated. Who knows.!! We were entertained royally by all of them and I think respected by them fully.
Of course by now Leagues were being introduced Nationally and payments were allowed officially as we were moving into the professional area. We were not in that League, we had players travelling from Cumbria some damned good players, Mally Brown, John Orr, “Big” Les Dent, and others all good players but joining us for the fixtures but no payments. Travelling -yes!! But travelling to train at nights apart from the commitments on a Saturday, remarkable and I just don’t see this happening nowadays.
Gents the professional area was with us and the sides as above moved on and we stayed in our comfortable area as the North of England now of course the North West of England. 42 years of Fixture Secretary, I exaggerate because George Dickson – thanks to him – took over as I took on the Chairmanship. God Forbid !!!! for 5 seasons.
We are still going we have now an excellent side and filled with optimism for the upcoming season when it might commence. The Club is filled with committed volunteers and I can foresee a great phase in our history over the next few years.
Best of luck to all. I will continue as Fixture Sec. with approval from all of you.
Further reading